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| The Website for all former pupils of the Prescot Grammar Schools |
| On a dull day
in the middle of March, the School Junior XI
sallies forth to Anfield Road, followed by a long
convoy of hilarious supporters, to meet their
opponents from Holt High School in their first
Junior Shield Final. On the journey to the
battleground the drab 'buses are heavily laden
with boys undergoing mixed feelings of suspense
and happiness. As the seven--vehicle convoy
threads its way through the traffic, the spirits
of the passengers rise gradually but surely, but
an occasional rattle or burst of song is the only
outward indication of those pent-up feelings. The convoy stops, the crowd surges forth to take up position in the stands or enclosure. Now " black-and-blue " mingles with " light-blue," black looks are exchanged on all sides. The wide expanse of terrain stretches away in the centre, tranquil and peaceful before the battle. A thunder of cheering breaks out : the warriors are here at last ! The two armies form up in battle array, eager and straining to be in the fray. The signal for battle is given, and the struggle is on. For many hours the miniature warriors surge back and forth across the outsize arena ; for many hours they attack, defend, feint, advance, each side determined to gain the mastery over the other. The crowds yell, cheer, cry out their war-chants ; rattles grate harshly, whistles shriek, trumpets blare out. To the end the clamour is heard. An increase, one hundredfold, in the din—P.G.S. are the victors ! The triumphant warriors leave their weary battleground, tired but happy. Oh ! that hour of glorious victory—we deserve a half-holiday for this (and we got it !). The convoy returns, now packed with jubilant crowds. No longer are the 'buses drab ; now they are brilliant chariots of war, emblazoned with the light of victory. No longer are those feelings pent-up ; now they are almost exhausted. Prescot, here we come ! Make way for the triumphant army ! Day of glory ! On that day of the whole year on which the spirit of practical joking is abroad, the School sallies forth once more. April 1st marks the day on which the Senior XI are to meet Alsop High School at Goodison Park— another Shield Final. As the convoy moves off, confidence is written in golden letters on the faces of everyone. Goodison Park. Cheers. The day is warm, and the pink, iced lollipops in the hands of some of the opposing supporters form a great temptation to break School Rules. A frown from authority, and the temptation is gone. On a larger scale than before, the battle royal rages. Defence and attack. Pandemonium from the stands. A draw. Cheers again, this means another match, another outing. April 10th arrives, and with it the convoy of chariots. Today we break up for Easter ; holiday spirits mingle with the elation of prophesied victory. Goodison again. Iced lollipops and the forbidding frown again. The final clash, the decisive battle ..... With sadness we draw the curtain on the gloomy scene. Dispirited and weary, our conquered warriors quit the field—Alsop faces are jubilant. Better luck next time, Prescot ! Days of victory, days of defeat, days of gladness, days of sadness. What a game ! G.R.W. |